This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security architecture and engineering. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A security architect is designing a secure enclave for processing highly sensitive data. The architecture must ensure that even if the operating system is compromised, the enclave's memory contents remain confidential and integrity-protected. Which technology should be used?
Full disk encryption (FDE) with a strong passphrase
Why wrong: FDE protects data at rest, not in memory.
Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
Why wrong: TPM provides hardware root of trust but does not isolate runtime memory.
Hypervisor-based isolation
Why wrong: A compromised hypervisor or OS can still access VM memory.
Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX)
SGX creates hardware-enforced enclaves that isolate code and data even from the OS.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX)
Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX) is the correct choice because it provides hardware-enforced isolation of memory regions (enclaves) that remain confidential and integrity-protected even if the operating system or hypervisor is compromised. SGX encrypts enclave memory on-die and decrypts it only within the CPU, preventing any privileged software from reading or tampering with the data.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Full disk encryption (FDE) with a strong passphrase
Why it's wrong here
FDE protects data at rest, not in memory.
Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
Why it's wrong here
TPM provides hardware root of trust but does not isolate runtime memory.
Hypervisor-based isolation
Why it's wrong here
A compromised hypervisor or OS can still access VM memory.
Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX)
Why this is correct
SGX creates hardware-enforced enclaves that isolate code and data even from the OS.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse TPM's boot-time integrity measurement with runtime memory protection, or assume hypervisor isolation is sufficient against a compromised OS, not realizing SGX provides hardware-enforced enclave isolation that persists even when the OS is untrusted.
Detailed technical explanation
SGX uses memory encryption engines (MEE) to encrypt enclave pages before they leave the CPU package, with integrity trees (Merkle trees) to detect tampering. A subtle behavior is that SGX does not protect against side-channel attacks (e.g., cache timing or branch prediction) because the encryption operates at the memory bus level, not within the CPU core. In a real-world scenario, SGX is used in confidential computing to protect cryptographic keys or AI models even on a cloud server where the host OS is controlled by an untrusted provider.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Security Architecture and Engineering — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Security Architecture and Engineering practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All CISSP questions
529 questions across all exam domains
Certified Information Systems Security Professional CISSP study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
CISSP practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise CISSP questions linked to Software Development Security.
Practise CISSP questions linked to Security Assessment and Testing.
Practise CISSP questions linked to Identity and Access Management.
Practise CISSP questions linked to Security and Risk Management.
Practise CISSP questions linked to Security Architecture and Engineering.
Practise CISSP questions linked to Communication and Network Security.
Practise CISSP questions linked to Asset Security.
Practise CISSP questions linked to Security Operations.
Practise CISSP questions linked to CISSP fundamentals.
Practise CISSP questions linked to CISSP scenario.
Practise CISSP questions linked to CISSP troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Security Architecture and Engineering — This question tests Security Architecture and Engineering — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX) — Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX) is the correct choice because it provides hardware-enforced isolation of memory regions (enclaves) that remain confidential and integrity-protected even if the operating system or hypervisor is compromised. SGX encrypts enclave memory on-die and decrypts it only within the CPU, preventing any privileged software from reading or tampering with the data.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This CISSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CISSP exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.